Written Answers Nos. 556-575
556. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the expenditure to date on the implementation of the National Action Plan Against Racism, by year, department or agency and programme; the measurable outcomes that have been achieved to date; whether a formal evaluation of the plan has been undertaken or is planned, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68363/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Action Plan Against Racism (NAPAR) 2023-2027 was launched on 21 March 2023 and takes a whole-of-Government approach to combating racism. As such, a comprehensive breakdown of expenditure to date is not available, as expenditure is not recorded under a single dedicated budget heading.
The Ireland Against Racism Fund (IARF) is a dedicated funding stream which supports the implementation of the NAPAR. The IARF supports projects at local, regional and national level that promote racial equality, foster inclusion and help combat racism.
My department publishes annual implementation reports on the NAPAR which set out progress achieved under the actions contained in the Plan. Progress is monitored on an ongoing basis, and any future evaluation will be informed by the findings arising from that process. The implementation report covering the 2025 period will be published on the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration’s website shortly.
557. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for an update on the operational implementation of the Gambling Regulation Act 2024; the sections of the Act that remain to be commenced; the number of licence applications received, determined and outstanding by the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland to date, by licence type; the current staffing complement of the Authority against its approved staffing complement; the further regulations expected to be made in respect of licensing and associated fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68367/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Gambling Regulation Act 2024 (the Act) establishes a comprehensive framework for the licensing and regulation of betting, gaming and certain lotteries, including activities provided online to persons in the State. The Act establishes an independent agency to regulate the gambling sector, the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI), and ensures that the Authority can appropriately respond to ongoing and future developments in the gambling sector.
The GRAI was established on a statutory basis in March 2025. The provisions relating to the various gambling sectors are being commenced on a phased basis to enable the development of the necessary regulatory, licensing and compliance framework, including guidance and codes of practice where appropriate. The first phase, licensing of the betting sector, commenced on 5 February 2026. Work on commencing provisions relating to gaming is currently being undertaken by the GRAI and my Department.
The GRAI does not provide details around licensing applications beyond the register of notices of intent and the register of licensed operators. I am advised by the GRAI that there are now 51 full-time employees with a current sanction for 55. An additional 4 staff members are due to join the GRAI shortly.
559. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the total expenditure on accommodation contracts for IPAS centres in each of the past ten years; and the estimated proportion attributable to security services. [68388/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra560. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether accommodation providers are required to disclose security expenditure as part of their contracts with the State; and, if not, whether he intends to introduce such a requirement. [68387/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 559 and 560 together.
Providing reception conditions to people who are applying for international protection is part of EU and Irish law, and people are entitled to accommodation for the duration of their application process.
The State is currently accommodating nearly 32,000 people seeking international protection in 297 International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centres around the country.
The allocation for IPAS accommodation and supports for 2025 was €1.27 billion and this has reduced to €1.1 billion for accommodation and supports in 2026. This is the first time in five years that the budget for international protection accommodation and supports is less than the previous year.
From 2022 to the end of 2024, there was a sudden and sustained increase in numbers of people applying for international protection in Ireland. This came during the same period as the arrival of over 120,000 people fleeing the war in Ukraine. The increased arrivals from 2022 onward placed profound pressure on supply of accommodation across this sector.
The table below outlines the total spend on IPAS accommodation in commercial and State-owned accommodation since 2015. Please note the 2025 figure is provisional pending completion of the 2025 Appropriation Accounts.
Table 1: Total spend on IPAS accommodation in commercial and State-owned accommodation since 2015.
|
Year |
€ |
|
2015 |
€57,025,000 |
|
2016 |
€64,137,000 |
|
2017 |
€67,359,000 |
|
2018 |
€77,993,000 |
|
2019 |
€129.408,000 |
|
2020 |
€183,215,000 |
|
2021 |
€190,856,000 |
|
2022 |
€356,554,000 |
|
2023 |
€651,756,000 |
|
2024 |
€1,005,000,000 |
|
2025 |
€1.2 Billion |
The costs outlined above pertain to accommodation for international protection applicants, including transport, facilities management, utilities and other related costs.
In all IPAS accommodation centres, whether they are commercially provided or State-owned, centre management and providers are responsible for day-to-day operational arrangements on the site, including catering, health and safety, utilities and security arrangement.
Security costs and service provision for commercially contracted centres are included in the overall contracted rate with the service provider.
All contracts negotiated now provide for an all-inclusive rate, that covers all services on the site, including security and include the need to comply with the licensing requirements of the Private Security Authority (PSA).
Security for occupied State-owned IPAS centres is also provided as part of each site's facilities management contract.
As such, the Department does not hold details of individual security contracts, service providers, or costs, and would not procure or pay for these services directly.
In line with the Programme for Government 2025 the State is working to develop more State-owned international protection accommodation and reduce reliance on commercially contracted accommodation.
The new International Protection Act 2026 gives effect to the measures of the EU Migration and Asylum Pact and has passed into law. The new rules came into effect on 12 June. This reform and its shorter processing timelines for applications should serve over time to reduce the scale of the demand for international protection accommodation.
As developing these more sustainable state-owned accommodation system options will take time, the commissioning of emergency commercial accommodation will continue to be a feature in the short to medium term.
561. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the reason security expenditure at a centre (details supplied) increased to €1.3 million in 2025 despite the centre being unoccupied; and if he will provide a breakdown of staffing, guarding hours and other security costs. [68386/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra562. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the names of the security providers currently engaged at River Lodge, Newtownmountkennedy and the Midlands Accommodation Centre, Lissywollen; and the procurement process used to appoint those providers and the value and duration of each contract. [68385/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 561 and 562 together.
River Lodge, Newtownmountkennedy, was offered to IPAS by the HSE in February 2024 and was used to provide tented emergency accommodation during a time of increased pressure on the international protection system.
Accommodation was provided from early May to December 2024. The site provided emergency tented accommodation with capacity for 96 residents.
Due to severe weather conditions in December 2024, residents had to be moved from the site to alternative accommodation. Following technical and financial assessments during 2025 in relation to ongoing use, it was agreed with the HSE that the site will be returned to them, bringing the licensed use of this site for IPAS accommodation to a conclusion.
Details of costs associated with the centre from 2024 to 2026 are provided below.
While the site was used to provide accommodation during 2024, a proportion of the site's security costs were included in the overall accommodation and services provision contract and costs.
When the site was not open to residents during 2025, security costs and some utility costs became the main cost to the Department.
In February 2026, the Department undertook a review of security services at River Lodge. Following appraisal, efficiencies were identified which resulted in cost savings at the site.
The site is due to be returned to the HSE as soon as possible, once remedial works currently underway are completed.
|
- |
2024 incl. VAT |
2025 incl. VAT |
2026 incl. VAT |
|
Site establishment and maintenance |
€555,565.52 |
€2,000 |
€4,451.79 |
|
Fire Safety |
€1,284.12 |
|
|
|
Fuel |
€7,772.27 |
€38,193.45 |
|
|
Generator |
|
€11,444.04 |
|
|
Accommodation and Services |
€1,858,351.92 |
€75,044.85 |
|
|
Transport |
€307.50 |
|
|
|
Waste Water |
€21,856.24 |
|
|
|
Water |
€3,505.50 |
|
|
|
Security |
€357,747.68 |
€1,302,515.88 |
€480,408.48 |
|
Total |
€2,806,390.75 |
€1,429,198.22 |
€484,860.27 |
563. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the current average and median processing time for applications for grants of probate, broken down by solicitor applications, personal applications, online applications and paper applications, and by the Dublin probate office and each district probate registry. [68395/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra567. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether the Courts Service has established target processing times for probate applications; the current performance against those targets; and the further reforms that are planned to reduce the time taken from receipt of a complete application to the issuing of a grant. [68403/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra574. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the current staffing complement of the Probate Office and District Probate Registries; the number of vacancies in each; whether the Courts Service has assessed whether existing staffing levels are sufficient to meet current and projected demand; and whether additional resources will be provided where required. [68398/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 563, 567 and 574 together.
The Probate Office is an office of the High Court. Management of the courts, operational matters and logistical functions are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in the exercise of their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and given the separation of powers in the Constitution. Probate functions are also carried out by County Registrars at District Probate Registries in 14 provincial court offices. As Minister, I have no role in the exercise of probate functions.
I am advised by the Courts Service that significant progress has been made to reduce average probate processing times. The average time (nationwide) for probate applications to complete is down from 22 weeks at the start of 2024 to 12 weeks in 2026. The current processing timeline for the Dublin Probate Office can now be viewed at https://courts.ie/guides/probate-processing-times.
Probate applications lodged through the new Probate Portal, which is currently open to solicitor applications, are currently being processed within approximately 3 to 4 weeks of lodgement, provided no queries arise.
The Courts Service is progressing its 10-year Modernisation Programme, to deliver an operating model that is digitally enabled and designed around the user. As part of these efforts, the eProbate project commenced in 2023 and seeks to digitally transform back office probate operations, to provide an online portal supporting the digital submission of applications, and to improve the provision of probate information online via the courts.ie website.
As part of the eProbate project a new, plain language information site was launched on courts.ie in mid 2024 to help applicants and solicitors to navigate the probate process. Following this, the project deployed a new modern back office system countrywide in March 2025, paving the way for the development of the online portal.
As the Courts Service progresses and improves the eProbate system, I am advised that it will be rolled out for more areas, such as intestacy and personal applicants. The electronic submission of applications through the online portal, combined with a simplified process, sharing of data from the Revenue Commissioners and the automated validation of key information at submission time, will enable faster and more efficient processing of applications.
The Courts Service has provided data regarding the median proceeding times for probate applications from 2021 to Quarter 2 2026 as set out in the table below.
Table: Probate Median Proceeding Times in weeks – 2021 to Q.2, 2026
|
Office |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
2026 Q.1 |
2026 Q.2 |
|
Castlebar |
7 |
6 |
11 |
14 |
9 |
14 |
8 |
|
Cavan |
4 |
6 |
3 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
|
Clonmel |
6 |
7 |
7 |
10 |
11 |
18 |
46 |
|
Cork |
16 |
11 |
9 |
16 |
19 |
18 |
16 |
|
Dublin |
12 |
15 |
20 |
17 |
9 |
11 |
11 |
|
Dundalk |
6 |
11 |
7 |
11 |
10 |
9 |
9 |
|
Galway |
10 |
20 |
17 |
13 |
18 |
13 |
12 |
|
Kilkenny |
11 |
13 |
10 |
15 |
16 |
18 |
13 |
|
Letterkenny |
6 |
10 |
11 |
17 |
17 |
6 |
5 |
|
Limerick |
7 |
16 |
15 |
30 |
15 |
3 |
5 |
|
Mullingar |
9 |
11 |
4 |
6 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
|
Sligo |
5 |
11 |
17 |
16 |
6 |
5 |
3 |
|
Tralee |
6 |
8 |
9 |
11 |
14 |
14 |
15 |
|
Waterford |
8 |
5 |
5 |
10 |
12 |
14 |
14 |
|
Wexford |
13 |
12 |
4 |
13 |
18 |
28 |
31 |
|
National |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Median |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Times |
12 |
15 |
20 |
17 |
9 |
11 |
12 |
The Courts Service have advised that the Median Proceeding Times represents the usual time a person can expect to have their probate application dealt with by the Probate and District Probate Offices and is based on the aggregated actual times of all probate applications concluded within each year. It is not possible to provide separate times for grants of probate and grants of administration, and the table shows a combined figure.
In relation to staffing, the total number of staff working in the Probate Office in Dublin is presently 22. The breakdown of staff by grade at the Probate Office in Dublin is set out in the table below.
|
Grade |
Number of staff |
|
Principal Officer |
2 |
|
Assistant Principal Officer |
3 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
7 |
|
Executive Officer |
4 - one vacancy at present |
|
Clerical Officer |
6 |
In many District Probate Offices, staff responsible for processing probate applications will also have other responsibilities and work may be shared by a number of individuals. Therefore, the figures in the table below are based on an estimate of an average workload for probate but may fluctuate.
|
District Probate Registry- |
The number of full-time and part-time staff attached to the Probate Office |
|
Court Office |
(July 2026) |
|
Cavan |
1.5 (across 3 staff (AP, EO and CO) |
|
Cork |
3 (2 EO, 1 CO) |
|
Donegal |
1 (0.75 EO, 0.25 CO) |
|
Galway |
1.8 (EO and CO) |
|
Kerry |
0.8 (between EO, CO) |
|
Kilkenny |
1.6 (EO) |
|
Limerick* |
2 (1 EO, 1 CO) |
|
Louth |
1 (EO, CO) |
|
Mayo |
2 (1EO, 1CO) |
|
Sligo |
1 (EO part-time) |
|
Tipperary * |
1 (EO) |
|
Waterford |
1.5 (1 EO, 0.5 CO) |
|
Westmeath |
1 (0.75 EO, 0.25 CO) |
|
Wexford |
1 (EO) |
* Applications in Limerick and Tipperary district probate registries are currently being transferred to the Dublin Probate Office due to staff vacancies. Services will resume once vacancies are filled.
Finally, I am informed by the Courts Service that where an application is returned for correction and is subsequently resubmitted, it does not return to the end of the processing queue. However, due to the high volume of queried applications awaiting review, there may be a delay before the resubmitted application can be checked again.
564. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of applications for grants of representation currently awaiting processing, broken down by the Dublin probate office and each district probate registry; the number that have been awaiting processing for more than four, eight, twelve and sixteen weeks; and the measures being taken to reduce waiting times. [68396/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Probate Office is an office of the High Court. Management of the courts, operational matters and logistical functions are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in the exercise of their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and given the separation of powers in the Constitution. Probate functions are also carried out by County Registrars at District Probate Registries in 14 provincial court offices.
To be of assistance, I have referred the Deputy's question to the Courts Service for direct reply.
565. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to Parliamentary Question No. 806 of 16 September 2026, (details supplied), to identify the statutory, delegated, assigned or administrative basis for that vesting in respect of prison-grade staff; the date it took effect; whether the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation or its predecessor was involved; and the instrument or record evidencing that authority. [68380/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised that in 2007, in accordance with the Public Service Management Act, 1997 and the Civil Service Regulation Acts, 1956 to 2005, the then Secretary General of my Department assigned responsibility for the performance of functions in respect of appointments, performance and discipline of personnel below the level of Principal Officer to senior officials in the Irish Prison Service.
566. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether the Courts Service is examining the use of artificial intelligence, automation or other digital technologies in the processing of probate applications to reduce administrative workload, identify incomplete or erroneous applications and improve processing times and increase efficiency; if so, the areas in which such technologies are being considered; and the anticipated timeline for their introduction. [68401/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra573. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the impact to date of the introduction of online probate applications through the Courts Portal on processing times, error rates and staff workload; the proportion of eligible applications now being submitted online; and the timeline for extending online applications to intestacy cases and personal applicants. [68399/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 566 and 573 together.
Regrettably, it has not been possible to collate the information requested by the Deputy in the time available. I will write to the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.
568. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the declaration-of-interest and conflict-of-interest safeguards that apply where an officeholder is professionally involved in anti-racism training and consultancy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68435/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra572. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his Department has reviewed the entirety of the full Deep Table discussion episode on 6th August 2026, before concluding that the remarks made by an individual (details supplied) were made in a personal capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68432/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra575. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if comments (details supplied) are considered compatible with the responsibilities of an office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68434/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 568, 572 and 575 together.
The role of Special Rapporteur on Racial Equality and Racism was established on an administrative basis as part of the monitoring, oversight and review framework of the National Action Plan Against Racism (NAPAR) 2023-2027. Dr Ebun Joseph was appointed as the Special Rapporteur for Racial Equality and Racism on 2 July 2024 for a four-year term following an open competition managed by the Public Appointments Service.
Responsibility for the implementation of the NAPAR, including the Special Rapporteur function, transferred from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to my Department on 1 May 2025.
The Special Rapporteur operates independently of my Department. As with other public appointments, the Special Rapporteur is required to comply with the applicable Terms of Reference of the role, including disclosing any potential conflicts of interest.
569. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of visa applications received from Palestinian students seeking to undertake third-level education in the State in 2025 and to date in 2026; the number approved, refused and awaiting decision; the number relating to applicants awarded fully-funded scholarships by Irish higher-education institutions; the principal grounds for refusal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68376/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn common with the position for all non-EU nationals, the entry of Palestinian nationals is facilitated through the existing legal immigration pathways available.
Palestinian nationals are visa-required and must hold a valid Irish visa before seeking to enter Ireland. There has been no change to the visa requirements applicable to Palestinian nationals this year. Each application, regardless of nationality, is considered and decided on its own merits.
My Department does not collate statistics on the specific type of course an applicant intends to attend. Applicants may apply for a study visa to attend a fee-paying secondary school, an English language course, or a third-level education programme.
My Department does not collate statistics on the sponsorship arrangements of visa applicants.
My Department also does not collate statistics on refusal reasons. Where an application is refused, a refusal letter is issued setting out the reasons for the decision.
All visa applicants are advised that it is their responsibility to provide as much supporting information as they consider necessary in support of their application. Guidance in this regard is available on my Department's website. Applicants who carefully follow this guidance are more likely to receive a positive decision.
The table below sets out study visa applications from Palestinian nationals in 2025 and 2026.
|
Category |
2025 |
2026 (25/09/26) |
|
Short Stay (C) Study Visa Received |
0 |
6 |
|
Long Stay (D) Study Visa Received |
164 |
138 |
|
Short Stay (C) Study Visa Granted |
0 |
5 |
|
Long Stay (D) Study Visa Granted |
114 |
45 |
|
Short Stay (C) Study Visa Refused |
0 |
fewer than 5 |
|
Long Stay (D) Study Visa Refused |
22 |
114 |
* Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.
* A decision made in a particular year may relate to an application received in a previous year.
* The above figures are for decisions at first instance only. An applicant that receives a negative decision may appeal and be subsequently granted at appeal. These figures are not included.
* It is the policy of my Department not to release numbers where there are less than 5 in respect of any nationality, as there is a possibility that a person may be identifiable by releasing such information.
570. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of persons subject to deportation orders currently in the State; the number of deportation orders signed, enforced and outstanding in 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026; the number of persons who have availed of voluntary return in each year; the average cost of an enforced return compared with a voluntary return; the measures being taken to increase the proportion of persons without permission to remain who leave through voluntary return, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68374/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is a central priority for me that Ireland's immigration system is robust and rules-based. Effective enforcement of our immigration laws, including the implementation of deportation orders, is essential to maintaining confidence in the integrity of the system and ensuring that our legislation is applied consistently.
Deportations are often costly and complex to carry out. Consequently, voluntary return is the preferred option wherever possible. My Department operates a voluntary return programme to assist individuals who wish to leave the State before a deportation order is issued. Access to this programme is only available prior to the making of a deportation order and I have increased the resources available to support those who choose to return voluntarily at an earlier stage.
The enforcement of deportation orders is an operational matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB), and my Department works closely with GNIB to facilitate the removal of individuals who are subject to deportation orders. Where a person does not leave the State voluntarily, they are required to present to GNIB in accordance with the conditions attached to their deportation order.
Where a person does not leave the State following the issuance of a deportation order, enforcement action may be required. In recent years, my Department has taken significant steps to strengthen immigration enforcement and increase the number of removals carried out.
The number of deportation orders signed in 2024 (2,403) increased by 180% compared with 2023 (857). In 2025, 4,700 deportation orders were signed, representing an increase of 96% compared with 2024.
In 2024, 1,122 people departed from the State under various mechanisms, including enforced deportation and voluntary return. In 2025, 2,111 people had their departure confirmed through these pathways, an increase of 88% compared with 2024.
It is also the case that, each year, an unspecified number of persons who are subject to deportation orders leave the State without notifying the relevant authorities. As there are no routine exit checks at Ireland's borders, it is not possible to determine definitively the number of individuals who have complied with a deportation order. However, I am informed that GNIB has reviewed a substantial sample of such cases and that its inquiries indicate that a very significant proportion of these individuals have departed the State.
The table below details the number of deportation orders signed from 2024 to 25 September 2026.
|
Year |
2024 |
2025 |
2026 (25/09/26) |
|
Deportation orders signed |
2,403 |
4,700 |
3,381 |
* Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.
The table below details the number of deportations, removals and voluntary returns from 2024 to 25 September 2026.
|
Year |
Enforced Deportations |
Otherwise Confirmed Deportations (1) |
Total Deportations |
Other Removals (2) |
Voluntary Returns |
Total Removed |
|
2024 |
134 |
28 |
162 |
26 |
934 |
1,122 |
|
2025 |
367 |
67 |
434 |
61 |
1,616 |
2,111 |
|
2026 (25/09/26) |
327 |
75 |
402 |
123 |
1,239 |
1,764 |
* Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. A deportation effected in a particular year may relate to a Deportation Order signed in a previous year.
1. Otherwise confirmed deportations is where it has been confirmed a person has left the state following receipt of a deportation order without being escorted.
2. Other removals include Dublin III Transfer Orders of International Protection applicants to another EU State and EU Removal Orders for the return of EU Citizens under the Free Movement Regulations (these orders are made on grounds of criminality) and people who are deemed inadmissible under the International Protection Act.
The table below sets out the costs associated with deportations and removals (including charter flights) completed between 2024 and 25 September 2026. The figures cover flight costs, including flights routed through international hubs and long-distance destinations, as well as certain accommodation costs, where required, for all removals, including Dublin III transfers and EU removals.
A number of factors affect costs, including the number of persons travelling in each instance. In some cases, a person may resist deportation and GNIB will conduct a risk assessment to determine the number of escorts required. In addition, where persons convicted of offences are being removed, a higher number of escorts is typically required.
Flight costs can also be affected by the need to make arrangements to enable escorts to return on the same flight in certain instances for their personal safety. Travel bookings are approved on a case-by-case basis at senior level within both GNIB and Immigration Service Delivery. Additionally, only certain airport hubs allow deportations to be conducted, which impacts the routes available and, consequently, the costs incurred.
A further significant contributor to costs is the additional expenditure incurred where flights must be cancelled and rebooked at short notice due to last-minute legal or logistical issues. In complex cases, this may arise on more than one occasion in connection with an individual deportation.
|
|
2024 |
2025 |
2026 (25/09/2026) |
|
Costs of total deportations/removals |
€1,239,627 |
€3,232,253 |
€3,957,153 |
|
Average cost of total deportations/removals outlined above ** |
€7,748 |
€7,552 |
€8,794 |
Please note that the figures for 2024, 2025 and 2026 are provisional and subject to change and data cleansing.
* Total Deportation/Removals costs including the flight costs and some accommodation costs, where required, for all removals including Dublin 3 transfers, EU Removals as well as deportations. These figures do not include persons who self-deported, and the costs for people who availed of the voluntary return programmes.
** Average costs for Total Deportation/Removals including the flight costs and some accommodation costs, where required, for all removals including Dublin 3 transfers, EU Removals as well as deportations. These figures do not include persons who self-deported, and the costs for people who availed of the voluntary return programmes.
I can assure the Deputy that, in most cases, the cost of removing a person through enforced deportation is significantly higher than the cost associated with voluntary return. Accordingly, voluntary return is the preferred option wherever possible, and my Department operates a voluntary return programme to assist people who choose to return before the issuance of a deportation order.
Part of the voluntary return process is the provision of reintegration assistance. This grant supports individuals in re-establishing themselves upon their return home. The standard grant is €1,200 per person and up to €2,000 per family unit.
In September 2025, I announced that, for a limited period, persons who were in the International Protection process before 28 September 2025 would be eligible for enhanced reintegration assistance if they chose to leave at an earlier stage in the process. This measure is intended to reduce pressure on the system arising from the high number of international protection applications received in recent years.
Under this enhanced arrangement, where a person opts for voluntary return either before a first-instance decision is made or without submitting an appeal, the level of assistance available increases to €2,500 per person, up to a maximum of €10,000 per family unit.
Where a person is in the appeals process, the level of assistance available is €1,500 per person, up to a maximum of €6,000 per family unit.
Where a person has received a final decision on their application, the level of assistance remains at €1,200 per person or up to €3,000 per family unit.
My Department also covers the cost of flights associated with voluntary return cases. Calculating an average cost of voluntary return is complex due to the range of variables involved.
My Department also continues to reclaim funding for certain return flight costs under the European Union's Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF).
571. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the total expenditure on charter deportation flights in 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026, broken down by individual operation, destination, number of persons returned and cost per person; the expenditure on Garda escorts, medical personnel, interpreters and independent human rights observers associated with each operation where these costs are additional to the aircraft charter cost; the criteria used to determine when a charter flight rather than scheduled commercial services will be used, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68373/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI regret that it has not been possible to compile the requested data within the limited time available. In the circumstances, I will communicate directly with the Deputy when available information has been assembled.
